Joshua Bell, one of the most amazing violin virtuosos in the world, humbles himself in a Washington DC subway system, playng for quarters. A man who a few days earlier had packed out Boston’s Sympony Hall at $100 a pop. Now people were passing by unable to recognize him or the music he was playing.
As the article says, lotto tickets are hot items in the metro area. People spending their money on a chance to win a million or two, while a chance in a lifetime plays right before them. Hundreds of people walk by without even hearing a note. It is quite astounding.
One person recognized him and knew the worth of what she was hearing. One.
This is an excellent article. If you don’t have time to read the whole thing, just scroll to the bottom and watch the 2:30 minute clip.
[HT: Freakonomics
Off The Wire 
Great observation Matt. I read the article yesterday, but did not think of it in terms of the Gospel. Your insight inspired today’s post over at diesel.blog. Many thanks.
Wow. I think you are right, Matt–an exquisite picture of the gospel. One (among many) interesting points…the only demographic of the 1100 people that passed by that consistently wanted to stop and listen was children. Made me think of Matthew 18:3. “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'”